Wisconsin governor recall vote approved

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will face a recall vote June 5 after officials in Madison cleared the way Friday for an election as Milwaukee's mayor declared his candidacy.

The Government Accountability Board, meeting at the Capitol, unanimously found that petition signatures seeking the recall of Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, both Republicans, met the standard. Walker, 44, whose opposition to unions touched off public fury, may become the third U.S. governor to be recalled from office.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat whom Walker defeated in the 2010 governor's race, declared his candidacy hours after the elections board ordered the recall. Barrett, in a statement from his office, said Walker has "divided our state like never before."

The results mean that, after a year of conflict marked by large and noisy demonstrations, millions in television advertising and votes to unseat an unprecedented nine lawmakers, the state known for progressive politics will get down to deciding whether to throw out the governor.

Staff attorney Michael Haas, saying the examination of the signatures was "not a task we relished," said 900,939 were valid, well above the 540,208 required to authorize Walker's ouster election. He said there was no evidence of fraud, although 26,115 names were struck, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Adolf Hitler.

A primary to determine opponents for those facing recalls will be held May 8.